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This study investigates the pragmatic functions of selected Nigerian Pidgin proverbs, focusing on their illocutionary and perlocutionary acts within contextual usage. The research aims to explore how these proverbs function in communication, considering the speech acts they perform and the effects they have on the interlocutors. Data for the study was collected from proficient speakers of the Nigerian Pidgin English. The instruments included writing notes and pens. Voice recorders were employed for capturing spoken discourse. The theoretical framework adopted for the analysis is the Speech Acts Theory, which views utterances, including proverbs, as performative acts rather than mere statements. The research findings reveal the influence of context to the interpretation of Nigerian Pidgin proverbs. Additionally, the study examines the indirect actions elicited by these proverbs when employed in situational contexts. The research findings show that Nigerian Pidgin proverbs are assertive. They assert a statement directly. However, based on the situational context, they carry various illocutionary forces like directives and expressives, indirectly. Overall, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of the pragmatic functions of Nigerian Pidgin proverbs and their role in communication within Nigerian Pidgin speech society.
